Nominations to Winnipeg Police Board indigenous council open

Police are making good on a previous motion passed by the Winnipeg Police Board (WPB) to focus on strengthening its ties with the indigenous community.

On Friday, the WPBissued an open call for nominations to its new Indigenous Council on Policing and Crime Prevention.

"The Board will be continuing to engage with the general public through community meetings and other outreach strategies.The Indigenous Council on Policing and Crime Prevention is a new initiative that will allow us to strengthen our relationship with Indigenous people inWinnipeg," Coun.Scott Gillingham, Chair of theWPB, said in a statement.

"Indigenous people are disproportionately likely to come into contact with the justice system.This council is one way we can tap into the community's ideas and expertise on how to change that."

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Last December, the WPB committed to forming acouncil in an effort to improve its relationship with Winnipeg's indigenous peoples. The board has been working with leaders of the indigenous community to develop a council that is representative of the community.

An Indigenous Council Committee has also been created, with Indigenous Board members Leslie Spillet and Mary Jane Coustel serving on the committee.

Nominations will be accepted through the city's websiteuntilAugust 12, 2015. Council membershipwill be announced in September.